Page 47 of Devil's Vengeance

I wasn’t sure I should feel relieved about that. Either Mariah’s recounting of my story swayed him enough to question his decision, or he was too pissed to think straight. Either way, my life and my future in the crew now rested in the hands of the officers who’d just held me hostage while Croy beat the hell out of me. I didn't give it good odds.

Mariah rushed forward, her big brown eyes trailing over me as she counted every damn bruise. There was no hiding it, since I’d barely managed to put my dick away before they started hurting me. I pushed myself into a sitting position, ignoring the screaming pain as I looked her over.

“What the hell were you thinking, sweetheart?”

“I was thinking I couldn’t just watch them kill you. You should’ve told them, Chase.”

“Yeah. You fuckin’ should’ve,” Nevada agreed. He was the only officer still standing over me. He was the least likely to resort to violence first, but he wasn’t to be underestimated. The old man could kick some ass if he needed to.

“VP. I need a favor.”

He huffed, raising one bushy eyebrow at me. “You really think you’re in a place to be askin’ for favors, son?”

I shook my head. “No. But I’m asking anyway. Whatever happens to me, I need Mariah to be brought somewhere safe. It’s my fault she’s in this mess with me. I need to get her out.”

“Chase–” Mariah started to protest, but I stopped her with a kiss, pouring every ounce of my true feelings for her into it. I wasn’t stupid enough to think I was coming out of this alive. Not after I fucked up the way I did. Trick dragged my crew into this, and I was going to pay for that. They may have dropped Neo’s rank when he screwed up, but he was useful to the crew. I was easily replaceable. They wouldn’t do the same for me.

Pulling away, I pressed my forehead against hers and shook my head before looking at Nevada again.

“Please. I just need to know she’ll be safe.”

His expression softened just a little and a stupid amount of hope filled my chest. I didn’t care what happened to me as long as she’d be okay.

“Alright. I can do that.” He glanced at Lacey, who still waited nearby. “Take her home with you. Cleo’s watchin’ the baby. We’ll take her to ours as soon as I’m through here.”

Lacey scoffed, crossing her arms. “Like I’d let anything happen to her.” She beckoned Mariah with a sympathetic expression. “Come on, Mariah. You’ve done what you can. He needs to face whatever consequences they come up with now.”

Since the day I met her in the back of that truck, Mariah has had a spine of steel. Even when she was scared, she kept her chin up and got her shit together so she could handle whatever was thrown her way. But now, faced with walking away from me for possibly the last time, she looked broken.She had tears streaming down her face and her grip on me was tight like she didn’t want to let go. It made my chest ache seeing her like that. I couldn’t face that and the shit I’d caused for my crew. Something had to give. She needed to go so I could at least get through the next few hours.

Pulling her hands away, I pushed to my feet and helped her stand. “Come on. You gotta go.”

“No, Chase! They’ll kill you. I can’t–”

Cupping her neck with both hands, I leveled her with a look. “Remember what I told you? About how you don’t belong here?” She shot me a dirty look, but it was too laced with fear and heartache to have any strength behind it. “I was fucking wrong, Mariah. You’re tough. You can do this. You’re going to go with Lacey. You’re going to stay with Nevada until it’s safe. And then you’re going to move on. Promise me.”

I needed to know I didn’t ruin her life like I ruined Hannah’s. I didn’t chase her into my orbit and drag her down with me when things went sideways.

“Come on, Mariah. Promise me,” I practically begged. I needed to hear the words before she left.

She looked heartbroken to do it, but eventually she nodded. “I promise.”

I pulled her mouth back to mine, kissing her hard. It was a goodbye, and she knew it, so she clung to me and wouldn’t let go until I forced her away and handed her off to Lacey.

Nevada gripped my shoulder as I watched them walk away. “Come on. You need to be downstairs. I don’t want you gettin’ any stupid ideas about runnin’. Face the consequences like a man.”

“I know. I’m not going anywhere.”

No matter how badly I wanted to grab Mariah and run, I couldn’t do that. I had to face the music. And I was going to do it without being a pussy about it. No matter what they decided to do with me.

CHAPTER 29

MARIAH

My hands shook from the adrenaline of watching all that. I couldn’t get my feet moving without Lacey’s help. She guided me back to Chase’s room long enough to grab my shoes and my bag. There was a level of finality to it. Just like that kiss. He was saying goodbye. They were taking me away from him. What were the chances I’d ever see him again? That he’d survive the night?

“Lacey–”

She gripped my shoulder in a supportive gesture, but shook her head. “We can’t. If you go down there and start making demands, it’ll only make things worse. Not even I can do that. I like Chase, I really do. He cares a lot about protecting us. He’s a good guy. But he fucked up by not telling his crew. Especially after they warned him to drop it.”

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